Cyprus Alternative News

The authorities in northern Cyprus put yet another obstacle to the freedom of movement of the media by no longer recognizing the “press cards” that it has issued itself. Till the first days of May, the professional journalists could cross between the north and the south easily by showing their press cards.

According to the “regulation” put in force this week, the police at the checkpoints no longer “recognize” the press cards of either Turkish Cypriot or Greek Cypriot journalists and demand that the journalists also queue up, “register their identity cards” and “get a visa” to be able to “cross” to the other side. The officers at the check-points in the Republic of Cyprus and the UN officers still allow professional journalists holding press cards to “cross” the “borders” freely without having to line up and register. It is expected that the international media associations will react to this new obstacle introduced by the Turkish au thorities.”